The Modern Humanitarian and International Development Leader: Make a Greater Impact During Uncertainty as a NGO Leader While

Aid for Aid Workers
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Weekly

Are you a humanitarian or international development leader who wants to make a greater impact — without the overwhelm and burnout? This podcast is for NGO, INGO and UN leaders who want to build high-performing, empowered teams in uncertain and stressful environments — while protecting their time, energy, and wellbeing. Each week, you’ll learn practical, coaching-informed strategies to help you: - Lead with more clarity and confidence - Empower diverse teams to perform at their best - Reduce overwork and decision fatigue - Increase productivity without sacrificing your values - Meet the evolving demands of the modern humanitarian and development sector I’m your host, Torrey Peace — leadership coach and founder of Aid for Aid Workers. With 12+ years working in humanitarian and development settings and coaching hundreds of leaders across the UN, INGOs, and civil society globally, I’ve seen firsthand how overwork and overwhelm have become normalized — and how unnecessary they truly are. The good news? There is a different way to lead. Join me every Monday for short, practical insights that help you step out of overwhelm and start leading with greater impact, sustainability, and purpose. 👉 New here? Start with listener-favorite: A Surprising Way to Ensure Team Success: https://www.aidforaidworkers.com/blog/success-7

  1. 2d ago

    Why Some Uncertainty Feels Exciting—and Other Uncertainty Feels Terrifying

    Have you ever wondered why some uncertainty can feel exciting, while other uncertainty feels terrifying? Starting a new job, moving to a new country, or taking on a new challenge can involve enormous uncertainty—and yet we may feel confident we'll figure it out. Meanwhile, uncertainty around funding, conflict, organizational change, or politics can leave us feeling anxious and powerless. So perhaps uncertainty itself isn't the problem. In this episode, Torrey explores what shapes our experience of uncertainty—and why our beliefs about what might happen, where we focus our attention, and how much we trust ourselves to handle what comes next can make such a difference. You'll also learn why your relationship with uncertainty matters not only for your own resilience, but for how you lead your team—and how looking back at everything you've already navigated can remind you that you're far more capable of handling uncertainty than you may realize. In This Episode You'll Learn:Why some uncertainty feels exciting while other uncertainty feels threateningThree things that influence how we experience uncertaintyHow focusing on what you can't control can increase feelings of helplessnessWhy trusting your ability to respond may be more useful than trying to create certaintyHow your relationship with uncertainty influences the way you lead your teamHow your past experiences can help you build greater confidence and resilience in the face of the unknown Key Quote“Resilience isn't certainty that everything will turn out the way you want. It's knowing that uncertainty can be present and you can still move forward.” Reflection QuestionsWhat uncertainty are you facing right now?Where are you directing most of your attention—toward what you can influence or what you can't?What have you already handled that you once didn't know how you would handle?What did those experiences teach you about yourself?What strengths did you discover because you needed them?What evidence does your own history give you that you can respond to whatever happens next?How do you want to show up as a leader while you don't yet know what comes next? Watch on YouTube Here

  2. Sep 7

    Using Difficult Circumstances to Become a More Impactful NGO Leader

    Are you feeling overwhelmed by uncertainty in the humanitarian and development sector? As a leader in this field, you're no stranger to unpredictability. But when circumstances feel out of your hands, it can lead to paralysis, anxiety, and doubt about your next steps. In this episode, I share a powerful shift in perspective that can help you break free from fear, refocus, and take meaningful action—even in times of crisis. Here's what you'll discover in this episode: Why resistance to reality creates more suffering—and how acceptance leads to empowerment.How to reframe challenges as opportunities to grow stronger, instead of feeling like a victim of circumstances.Practical strategies to move from overwhelm to clarity, so you can lead with confidence despite external uncertainty. Don’t let difficult circumstances hold you back—press play now and learn how to take control as a modern NGO leader! What Is Your Leadership Style? Free Quiz: Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit. This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.

    Using Difficult Circumstances to Become a More Impactful NGO Leader

  3. Aug 31

    The Real Reason Your Team Keeps Asking for Help

    Is your team’s lack of action a knowledge problem—or a confidence problem? Misdiagnosing this could be holding them (and you) back. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by showing your team how to do something over and over only for them to hesitate or keep asking for help, you’re not alone. This episode dives into why this happens and offers a powerful framework to help you move from frustration to transformation in your leadership. In this ten minute episode you'll discover:Learn the key differences between knowledge and confidence problems of team membersHow to address knowledge or confidence problemsGain insights into creating sustainable, high-performance teams that act independently. Press play now to learn what may be blocking you from a high performance team! WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE? QUIZ Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit. This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.

    The Real Reason Your Team Keeps Asking for Help

  4. Aug 24

    The Stories That Are Holding You Back as a Leader

    Have you ever wondered how much of your daily frustration comes from assumptions—not reality? In this episode, we dive into the unconscious stories we tell ourselves that shape how we act, react, and lead. These mental narratives may seem harmless, but they often influence our decisions, damage our confidence, and limit our leadership growth. In this episode you'll discover: A powerful question that can instantly shift your perspective and decision-making.How small mindset shifts can unlock new outcomes in your professional and personal life.Try a simple weekly exercise to identify and challenge limiting stories so you can lead more intentionally. Listen now to uncover how challenging one internal story could change everything in your leadership journey. NOW ON YOUTUBE What Is Your Leadership Style? Free Quiz: Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit. This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian NGO UN leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.

    The Stories That Are Holding You Back as a Leader

  5. Aug 17

    What Emotions Reveal About Your Leadership

    Have you ever wondered why two people can experience the exact same moment—and walk away feeling completely different? As a humanitarian or development leader, you’re tasked with managing people through uncertainty, change, and challenge. But what if your team’s biggest roadblock isn’t the workload or logistics—it’s the thoughts behind their emotions? This episode dives into the psychology behind emotional responses and how your mindset might be shaping your results more than you realize. In this episode, you'll discover:How to interpret emotions as “road signs” that reveal hidden thoughts and beliefs.Learn a coaching technique to help your team shift from self-doubt to self-belief using curiosity.Gain clarity on how to lead with confidence by transforming the way you relate to both your emotions and your team’s. Listen now to uncover the mindset shift modern leaders use to create confident teams and stronger outcomes—starting with one emotion at a time. NOW ON YOUTUBE Becoming the Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader Course What Is Your Leadership Style? Free Quiz: Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit. This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian NGO UN leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.

    What Emotions Reveal About Your Leadership

  6. Aug 10

    Why Achieving Your Goals Can Lead to LESS Happiness and How to Fix It

    Do you feel like no matter how much you achieve, it's never enough? If you're a humanitarian or development leader constantly focused on what's next—without pausing to reflect on what you’ve already accomplished—you're likely stuck on the “goal treadmill.” This episode introduces a powerful mindset shift that allows you to stay motivated and find fulfillment while you work toward your goals. In this episode you'll discover: The critical difference between "gap thinking" and "gain thinking"Learn how to measure your progress in a way that boosts satisfaction and motivationExplore practical reflection tools to help you celebrate small and big wins consistently Hit play to uncover how modern leaders are transforming the way they pursue goals—and why it's making their work (and life) more meaningful. What Is Your Leadership Style? Free Quiz: Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit. This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian NGO UN leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.

    Why Achieving Your Goals Can Lead to LESS Happiness and How to Fix It

  7. Aug 3

    VIP: How to Get Unstuck When Everything Feels Uncertain

    Feeling overwhelmed by the current state of the humanitarian and development sectors? You're not alone. In this episode, we're diving into what it really means to lead through uncertainty. As modern NGO leaders, it’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of anxiety and hopelessness. Funding cuts, policy shifts, and global crises can feel relentless. But what if there were simple, practical ways to break free from that stuck feeling? In this episode you'll discover: A simple action you can take today to instantly boost your mood and productivity.How to uncover hidden thoughts that may be holding you back.A three-step process to regain control when life feels overwhelming. Listen now to learn more! ------------------- Mentioned in this episode - NGO Soul and Strategy Podcast If you are a middle to senior NGO leader who wants a greater perspective on organizational change, Tosca Bruno van Vijfeijken's podcast is for you! Through this bi-weekly podcast, you'll learn: The organizational design, development and effectiveness angles of changeInsights from a variety of global NGO leadersConversations will delve into leadership, strategy, team culture, and the evolving challenges and opportunities facing our sector. Check out the podcast NGO Soul and Strategy here! WHAT IS YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE? QUIZ Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit. This podcast empowers NGO, international development and humanitarian leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.

    VIP: How to Get Unstuck When Everything Feels Uncertain

  8. Jul 27

    The Number One Way to Sabotage Your Leadership Growth as a Humanitarian and International Development Leader

    Do you ever catch yourself thinking, “I already know this”? What if that exact thought is quietly sabotaging your leadership growth? This episode explores one of the most damaging yet subtle mindsets that can derail even the most well-intentioned leaders: the assumption that you’ve already mastered the basics. Whether you’re managing a team, running a project, or simply trying to grow as a professional, ignoring the fundamentals could be costing you clarity, impact, and respect. In this episode you'll discover: Why curiosity is more than just a trait—it’s a leadership superpower.Learn how to overcome the mental trap of “I already know that” to unlock deeper listening, more effective feedback, and real-time growth.Understand the importance of revisiting foundational skills like listening and questioning—especially if you think you’ve already got them mastered. Listen now to uncover how embracing curiosity and relearning the basics can elevate your leadership to the next level. NOW ON YOUTUBE What Is Your Leadership Style? Free Quiz: Want to know how to lead better? It starts by understanding your leadership style. To find out yours, take my free quiz “What Is Your Leadership Style” - you’ll immediately find out your default style, how it may be impacting your team and a few practical ways to become an even better leader. Just click on the link fill out your quiz and click submit. This podcast empowers international development and humanitarian NGO UN leaders to achieve high performance teams, fostering diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing, overcoming burnout and overwhelm, while maximizing impact and productivity.

    The Number One Way to Sabotage Your Leadership Growth as a Humanitarian and International Development Leader
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Are you a humanitarian or international development leader who wants to make a greater impact — without the overwhelm and burnout? This podcast is for NGO, INGO and UN leaders who want to build high-performing, empowered teams in uncertain and stressful environments — while protecting their time, energy, and wellbeing. Each week, you’ll learn practical, coaching-informed strategies to help you: - Lead with more clarity and confidence - Empower diverse teams to perform at their best - Reduce overwork and decision fatigue - Increase productivity without sacrificing your values - Meet the evolving demands of the modern humanitarian and development sector I’m your host, Torrey Peace — leadership coach and founder of Aid for Aid Workers. With 12+ years working in humanitarian and development settings and coaching hundreds of leaders across the UN, INGOs, and civil society globally, I’ve seen firsthand how overwork and overwhelm have become normalized — and how unnecessary they truly are. The good news? There is a different way to lead. Join me every Monday for short, practical insights that help you step out of overwhelm and start leading with greater impact, sustainability, and purpose. 👉 New here? Start with listener-favorite: A Surprising Way to Ensure Team Success: https://www.aidforaidworkers.com/blog/success-7

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